Racial/ethnic differences in atrial fibrillation symptoms, treatment patterns, and outcomes: Insights from Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation Registry

Abstract

Relative to white and Hispanic patients, black patients with AF had more symptoms, were less likely to receive rhythm control interventions, and had lower quality of warfarin management. Despite these differences, clinical events at 2 years were similar by race and ethnicity.

Ethnicity and anticoagulation management of hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation in northwest China

“…The rate of treatment with anticoagulants in hospitalized patients with AF changes over wide range (43.0 to 88.1%)101928. Our study shows that the undertreatment of AF patients is higher than in previous reports.…”

“…Several recent studies8910 have demonstrated that race- or ethnicity-dependent disparities exist in the incidence, symptoms, comorbidity burdens and outcomes of many cardiac conditions, including heart failure (HF) and AF. In addition, among patients with HF and AF, minority racial groups were shown to underutilize treatment and have disproportionately higher risks of inpatient death11.…”

“…In addition, among patients with HF and AF, minority racial groups were shown to underutilize treatment and have disproportionately higher risks of inpatient death11. In regards to treatment strategies, studies have shown that ethnicity may affect anticoagulation81012 and cardiac ablation13 in patients with AF. However, ethnic differences in hospital populations with AF are considered controversial, especially in anticoagulant management1415.…”

Implementing Precision Medicine: The Ethical Challenges

“…African-Americans are already under-treated for atrial fibrillation and are at a higher risk of stroke. That coupled with research that focuses on white populations has led to a “treatment disparity” [40, 41]. A similar problem related to lack of evidence from diverse populations has to do with the likelihood of indeterminate results in cancer genetics.…”

Regional Differences in Warfarin Therapy Among Japanese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

“…4 Such regional differences may be caused by many environmental factors such as geographic conditions, patients' lifestyle including their food and drink, 5 socioeconomic background, medical conditions, 6 as well as genetic factors. 7, 8 Statistics provided by the Japanese government show considerable differences in the profiles of the risk factors, medical conditions, 9 and lifestyles among various regions in Japan. 10 The annual rate of admission or hospital/clinic visits for cerebral infarctions in 2008 in 47 administrative divisions 9 are shown in Figure 1.…”